GE Aviation celebrates 30,000th 3D printed fuel nozzle

The GE Aviation plant in Auburn, Alabama, this week celebrated the successful shipping of it’s 30,000th 3D printed fuel nozzle tip. Installed within GE’s LEAP jet engine, the nozzle has been made at the facility since 2018 and marks a significant milestone for production-scale additive manufacturing.

The fuel nozzle, in fact, is qualified for manufacturing on an EOS M 250 DMLS 3D printer. It was initially produced for the company by advanced and additive manufacturing service provider Morris Technologies subsequently acquired by GE Aviation in 2012.

Following the nozzle’s certification for flight in 2016, LEAP engine orders had racked up a total of over 14,000 at the 2017 Paris Airshow. Now that figure reportedly exceeds 16,300 orders and commitments.

The LEAP engine. Image via CFM Aeroengines

40 metal 3D printers for production

GE Aviation Auburn currently operates more than 40 metal 3D printers for the purpose of part production. The facility covers 300,000-square-feet and employs 230 people, soon to be upped to 300 in 2019.